Image copyright: Getty Images
2023/24 National Basketball Association (NBA) season
Regular Season
Sacramento Kings v Oklahoma City Thunder
Golden 1 Center
Sacramento, USA
Friday, 15 December 2023
05h00
Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder will face off in a
National Basketball Association (NBA) match on 15 December.
Head-to-Head
This will be the 250th meeting between the two teams in the regular season since their first meeting in 1967 when the City Thunder made their NBA debut.
The City Thunder have the upper hand in this rivalry having recorded 149 wins compared to the Kings' 100 victories from 149 matches.
Most recent meeting
The Kings defeated the Thunder, 105-98 in a game played at the Golden 1 Center on 11 November 2023.
The Kings improved to 1-0 in West Group C play, and 4-4 in the regular season, while the Thunder fell to 0-2 in West Group C play, and 5-4 in the regular season.
Key Players
One of the Kings' most influential players is Kevin Huerter who led the way with 28 points, nine rebounds, and three steals for the team against the City Thunder last month.
While the City Thunder will pin their hopes of securing a win in Sacramento on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who tallied 33 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against the Kings.
Quotes
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault recorded his 100th career win in fashion after an overtime thriller against the Golden State Warriors on 9 December.
“It’s the same as the rest of them but all I’ll say is I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work here. I don’t take that for granted,” Daigneault said.
“I don’t take (Clay) Bennett for granted. I don’t take our entire building for granted. Sam (Presti) has obviously given me this opportunity but I work with great people and I love working with our players.
“Anything that pulls me out of the game-to-game moment of the season, I usually just try to tap into the gratitude of that and I’m incredibly grateful to be coaching here and to have been coaching here.”
NBA fixtures (15-16 December)
Kick-off times in CAT
Friday, 15 December
02:30 - Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers
02:30 - Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls
03:30 - Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves
04:00 - Denver Nuggets v Brooklyn Nets
05:00 - Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz
05:00 - Sacramento Kings v Oklahoma City Thunder
05:30 - Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors
Saturday, 16 December
02:00 - Charlotte Hornets v New Orleans Pelicans
02:00 - Philadelphia 76ers v Detroit Pistons
02:00 - Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers
02:30 - Boston Celtics v Orlando Magic
02:30 - San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Lakers
02:30 - Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks
03:00 - Memphis Grizzlies v Houston Rockets
05:00 - Phoenix Suns v New York Knicks